Free Will

March 30, 2007, 7:04 PM

I was somewhat surprised to not see a thread about this ever present theological dilemna.

Anyone care to express their insights?

March 30, 2007, 7:07 PM

I fully believe in free will. It's basically because I don't like the fact that I'm not in control of what I do. I don't like to think that, no mater what I choose, it's irrelevant because my life is leading up to a specific moment/goal. That said, I believe in things like there's a person out there for everybody, and all that
It all comes down to me being in control of my life

March 30, 2007, 7:10 PM

Do you believe in an omniscient god, such as the one in the teachings of Christianity?

March 30, 2007, 7:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooley

I fully believe in free will. It's basically because I don't like the fact that I'm not in control of what I do. I don't like to think that, no mater what I choose, it's irrelevant because my life is leading up to a specific moment/goal. That said, I believe in things like there's a person out there for everybody, and all that
It all comes down to me being in control of my life

So, you like the thought of being in control of your life, but also that there is some higher power (even if it's only "fate") that has determined that someone out there for you?

I personally take the middle road. We are greatly influenced by factors beyond our control: be it our upbringing and our parents music preferences, or how much the weather affects whether we get to class on time.

These influences greatly shape both our understanding of the world around us, and how we think and act within it.

Free will? Sure. We have a bit of freedom of thought, but completely free? Doubtful.

March 30, 2007, 7:12 PM

It's probably necessary that you specify this when you state your opinions on free will, as reconciling the concept of free will with the concept of omniscience is where the proverbial strings come in.

March 30, 2007, 7:14 PM

No, I don't believe in any God at all. I'm totally athiest down to the bone. I believe the "there's someone out there for everyone" arguement simply through a law of odds. Out of the several billion people in the world, there has to be someone for you

March 30, 2007, 7:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoliStud

So, you like the thought of being in control of your life, but also that there is some higher power (even if it's only "fate") that has determined that someone out there for you?

I personally take the middle road. We are greatly influenced by factors beyond our control: be it our upbringing and our parents music preferences, or how much the weather affects whether we get to class on time.

These influences greatly shape both our understanding of the world around us, and how we think and act within it.

Free will? Sure. We have a bit of freedom of thought, but completely free? Doubtful.

Some of these things are beyond your control, and more specifically, beyond the realm of choice, which is what free will is really all about.

Do human beings actually have a choice in anything, or are both free will and choice just grandiose illusions?

March 30, 2007, 7:15 PM

If fate exists, then free will does not. Or it's redundant. If fate does not exist, then free will could exist. There are certain things that could be done with free will, and others that cannot. We cannot do the impossible with free will, but there are certain things we can do with free will that we couldn't have otherwise. But there will still be things that make free will redundant. Basically, I wouldn't give credit to God if he supposedly gave us a redundant free will.

March 30, 2007, 7:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

If fate exists, then free will does not. Or it's redundant. If fate does not exist, then free will could exist. There are certain things that could be done with free will, and others that cannot. We cannot do the impossible with free will, but there are certain things we can do with free will that we couldn't have otherwise. But there will still be things that make free will redundant. Basically, I wouldn't give credit to God if he supposedly gave us a redundant free will.

WOW! cudnt have said it better my self!
BTW good thread

March 31, 2007, 8:20 AM

I think free will exists for the same reason as Pooley does. Would you like to think of your life as completely under the control of another. I certainly wouldn't.